Bishop Anne Announces Sabbatical Month

Dear people, 

I have some planned-ahead time away coming up soon: a visit with Sean’s family in Pennsylvania; a month of sabbatical. I’ll also have some unplanned time away to be with my family in Independence, WI, as we gather to mourn the loss of my uncle, C. Keith Edison. 

Keith was both my uncle (my mom’s only sibling) and my godfather. He was a funeral director and small business owner, so he could never really plan ahead for visits or family gatherings–there was no way he could be sure when he’d get a call, and he needed to be there for those calls. And yet, somehow, he was there for so many of the most important milestones and moments in my life. When I was a kid he seemed a little bit magical to me: the uncle who could suddenly appear to show his support and love. As I got older, I became more aware of the sacrifice behind his appearances–the way he’d wake up super early and drive for hours to be there, and then turn around and drive all night to get back to home and work. The way he gave us his complete attention when we visited, knowing that he might get one of those calls and have to make that sudden shift, to be fully present with a family in mourning. When I went into ministry, I gained new empathy for that tension between planning ahead and knowing your plans might need to change in an unexpected instant. 

He’d had some health troubles, but Keith’s death was unexpected. I’m grateful for everything he taught me about how to navigate the unexpected in life. I’m grateful for all the ways his memory and presence will stay with me–even unexpectedly, sometimes.  And I will also miss his unexpected visits, and all the ways he showed love and care for me and our whole family. 

Thank you for your understanding and patience, especially with rescheduled appointments. I’ll be working a bit in-between family gatherings; taking part in Kathy Cartwright’s ordination and the leave-taking service at Pilgrim in Wausau; meeting with our synod executive committee July 21; and then heading out for that planned time away.  I’ll be back in September and I’m looking forward to more work with our synod council, our new financial task force, and all of our teams of leaders—we’ve got some great energy and ideas going into Term 2!  

For any questions or concerns you’d normally send directly to me, please email ecsw@ecsw.org or call/text 920-734-5381. Our synod staff is well-equipped to answer your questions, and they’ve got phone-a-friend bishops ready to help out as needed. 

Gratefully, 

Bishop Anne